When Are They Ready For Formal Learning?

Here is a little snippet from the pages of 'The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook: A Creative And Stress-free Approach To Homeschooling' by Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore. This is my second book by them that I am reading, and so far I enjoyed the first one and I am enjoying this one as well.

"When Are They Reading For Formal Learning?

If there is any story which reflects a generation's sense of balance and wisdom, it's the way it treats its children. If there is any explicit demonstration of ignorance, it is parents giving their children something to do without handing them tools or sharing the job with them. "Go out and hoe the garden," you shout, but the handle is broken and you are too busy to fix it. "Tie your shoes!" you tell your four year old, but his little fingers are unready, unsure. "Read those letters," you insist, yet his immature eyes see an upside-down or reversed, mirror-image blur. When we send our very young children off to school, who is demonstrating ignorance, misinformation, or no understanding? Is there a more pervasive form of child abuse today?..."(pg. 41)

"Instead of studying how best to meet our children's needs, we simply do what everyone else seems to be doing, and often put our little ones out of their homes, their homes, and away from environments that best produce outgoing, healthy, happy, creative children. Moore researchers concluded from their federally sponsored studies that America is placing it little children in formal settings long before most of them, particularly boys are ready. The effect on their mental and emotional health is devastating. Dropout rates also are mute testimony to the problem..."(pg. 42)

"Our research analyses concluded that, where possible, children should be withheld from formal schooling until at least ages eight to ten..."(pg. 43)

"All of learning necessary for success in high school can be accomplished in only two or three years of formal skill study. Delaying mandatory instruction in the basic skills until the junior high school years could mean academic success for millions of school children who are doomed to failure under the traditional school system." (pg. 43)

I personally have not started my children on any formal learning model as of yet and I cannot tell the difference between my children and their formally schooled peers other than, my children are clearly much less stressed, are very open to exchanging ideas freely, and seem to be closer to their family. My children surely do not feel rushed or like they are not keeping up either. There are many character differences as well, but I feel I have pointed out enough for now.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of delayed learning, of course you could read the book. In the meantime you may find some great info. and support here.